The town in Bihar where I  grew up witnessed girls my age being married right after Class 10. It was customary for fathers to set aside money for their dowry. But, I had different dreams. And so my father invested that same money into my education. Things were not always easy as we lived in a kaccha (makeshift)house. My father would repair gas stoves to make ends meet. But even when finances were low he ensured I studied. 

Though my family was supportive of my dreams, there was another challenge to deal with — relatives. Right from telling my father he was wasting money on my education to advising him to marry me off, they........

© The Better India